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In a testament to their defensive depth, the 49ers have allowed one touchdown and 14 points in their past two games despite missing three starters.

But they might not have to trot out another potential super sub this week for defensive tackle Ray McDonald, whose biceps injury doesn’t appear serious. This morning, Jim Harbaugh said the results of the MRI exam McDonald had on Monday were encouraging.

“We dodged a bullet there,” Harbaugh said on KNBR. “It looks like Ray might have walked one off.”

McDonald exited Sunday’s 34-3 over Houston after he had a tap-down sack of Matt Schaub in the third quarter. McDonald said he felt a minor pain – like a “bee sting” – as he was fending off a blocker en route to the sack.

Fittingly, given the performance of the 49ers’ other defensive reserves the past two weeks, Tony Jerod-Eddie entered for McDonald and had an interception in the fourth quarter, the first pick by a San Francisco defensive lineman since 2010.

As noted in this blog last year, the 49ers’ defense has remained remarkably intact during each season dating to 2009. From 2009 to 2012, their 11 defensive starters missed an average of seven games, fewer than one per starter.

This season, their defensive starters have already missed seven games through Week 5, with nose tackle Ian Williams, on injured reserve, guaranteed to miss 11 more.

The good news for the Niners: McDonald may not miss a game after sustaining what appeared to be a serious injury.

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A look at the games missed by the 49ers’ defensive starters since 2009:

2013

7 MISSED GAMES

DT Ray McDonald: 0

NG Ian Williams: 3

Note: Sustained a broken ankle in Week 2 against Seattle and will miss the season.

DT Justin Smith: 0

OLB Aldon Smith: 2

Note: Is on the reserve/non-football injury list and is in a treatment facility for a reported substance-abuse problem.

ILB Patrick Willis: 2

Note: Has missed the last two games with a groin injury.

ILB NaVorro Bowman: 0

OLB: Ahmad Brooks: 0

CB Tarell Brown: 0

CB Carlos Rogers: 0

S Eric Reid: 0

S Donte Whither: 0

2012

4 MISSED GAMES

DT Ray McDonald: 0

NG Isaac Sopoaga: 2

Note: Missed two games with a knee/ankle injury.

DT Justin Smith: 2

Note: Missed final two regular-season games with a partially torn triceps.

OLB Aldon Smith: 0

ILB Patrick Willis: 0

ILB NaVorro Bowman: 0

OLB: Ahmad Brooks: 0

CB Tarell Brown: 0

CB Carlos Rogers: 0

S Dahson Goldson: 0

S Donte Whither: 0

2011

8 MISSED GAMES

DT Ray McDonald: 1

Note: Missed Nov. 6 game vs. Redskins (hamstring)

NG Isaac Sopoaga: 1

Note: Missed Oct. 9 game vs. Buccaneers (staph infection)

DT Justin Smith: 0

OLB Parys Haralson: 0

ILB Patrick Willis: 3

Note: Missed 3 games with hamstring injury

ILB NaVorro Bowman: 0

OLB: Ahmad Brooks: 0

CB Tarell Brown: 0

CB Carlos Rogers: 0

S Dahson Goldson: 2

Note: Missed first two games of season (knee)

S Donte Whither: 1

Note: Missed Oct. 2 game vs. Eagles (hip)

2010

2 MISSED GAMES

DT Isaac Sopoaga: 0

NG Aubrayo Franklin: 0

DT Justin Smith: 0

OLB Manny Lawson: 0

ILB Patrick Willis: 1

Note: Missed season finale (broken hand)

ILB Takeo Spikes: 0

OLB: Parys Haralson: 1

Note: Missed Dec. 5 game vs. Green Bay (ankle)

CB Shawntae Spencer: 0

CB Nate Clements: 0

S Dahson Goldson: 0

S Michael Lewis/Taylor Mays/Reggie Smith: 0

Note: Lewis was benched and replaced by Mays, who was benched and replaced by Smith.

2009

11 MISSED GAMES

DT Isaac Sopoaga: 0

NG Aubrayo Franklin: 0

DT Justin Smith: 0

OLB Manny Lawson: 0

ILB Patrick Willis: 0

ILB Takeo Spikes: 1

Note: Missed Nov. 22 game vs. Green Bay (hamstring)

OLB Parys Haralson: 0

CB Shawntae Spencer: 0

CB Nate Clements: 9

Note: Fractured scapula on Nov. 1 vs. Indianapolis and was placed on IR.